Mothers make plea for charges in Anaheim shootings

SANTA ANA – A pair of mothers led a small demonstration on Tuesday demanding a resolution to the Orange County District Attorney's Office's ongoing investigations into two separate police-involved shootings that led to the deaths of their sons last summer.

The women said they want District Attorney Tony Rackauckas to file charges against the Anaheim police officers who fatally shot 25-year-old Manuel Diaz on July 21 and Joel Acevedo, 21, a day later. The deaths sparked civil unrest that lasted four days in downtown Anaheim, resulting in several injuries and damaged buildings.

"Everyone already knows the D.A. will justify this shooting somehow," Donna Acevedo said as a dozen protesters waved signs in front of the courthouse in Santa Ana.

"I know there's going to be a lot of angry people, but as angry as I am, I want to be peaceful," Acevedo said. "I just want to know the truth about my son."

Anaheim police have said Diaz was a known gang member who ran along a residential alleyway when he was approached by officers. His mother, Genevieve Huizar, said her son was shot in the back.

Police have said he ignored their orders to stop and appeared to reach for his waistband.

Acevedo, also a gang member, reportedly opened fire on Anaheim police officers during a foot chase, authorities said.

"Anybody can make mistakes in their life, but no one deserves to be shot execution-style in the back of the head," Huizar said, wiping tears from her eyes. "We are not calling for violence. We are not calling for a riot. We are calling for justice."

Huizar has a lawsuit pending in federal court against the city of Anaheim.

Separate investigations into both deaths are ongoing and authorities have not yet determined when a final report will be released, said Susan Kang Schroeder, chief of staff to the district attorney.

"These investigations are necessarily lengthy due to the voluminous evidence to be examined, witnesses to be interviewed and legal analysis to be conducted," Kang Schroeder said. "The OCDA understands the importance of transparency in these cases, and the facts will come out for all to see upon the completion of our investigations."